Crash with Hialeah police injures daughter of new Miami-Dade school board member

The investigation into a violent crash involving a Hialeah police officer continues as the daughter of a newly-elected Miami-Dade school board member injured in the crash fights for her life.

Andrea Castillo, 21, daughter of Susie Castillo, who recently won her seat and will be sworn-in next month, was injured in the Friday crash between the officer and her boyfriend’s SUV, where she was a passenger.

What led to the collision between the unmarked police vehicle and the SUV remains unclear.

“This is an open, active investigation regarding a serious accident with injuries and further details as to the cause, will be released only upon the conclusion of a full, in depth and impartial investigation,” said police spokesman Carl Zogby.

Andrea Castillo remains in intensive care in extremely critical condition. On Sunday, her family was at her side and requested privacy.

A graduate of Ronald Reagan High in Doral, Castillo recently turned 21 and is a student at Miami Dade College.

The condition of her boyfriend, whose name has not been released, was unknown. The officer involved, Raul Somarriba, is in stable condition.

Police said the crash occurred at 9:45 p.m. at the intersection of East 49th Street and Ninth Court, police said.

The on-duty officer was east bound on East 49th Street. The SUV was northbound on East Ninth Court, where there is a stop sign to access East 49th Street.

The impact flipped the SUV, which slammed against a row of metal poles in front of a car dealership on the southwest corner of the intersection.

Meanwhile, the police vehicle jumped a median and ended up facing a gas station on East 49th Street, opposite the car dealership.

An employee at the gas station, who did not want to give his name, said Sunday the officer was bleeding and appeared unconscious. Across the street, he heard the screams of the driver of the SUV

The officer, Castillo and her boyfriend were all taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Only the officer was airlifted by helicopter; the couple was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Zogby said the decision to airlift the officer, who suffered a fractured leg and arm and head injuries, was decided by emergency personnel at the scene.

Somarriba is a member of a Crime Suppression Task Force (CRT) .

Castillo’s mother recently won her seat on the Miami-Dade school board, replacing Renier Diaz de la Portilla. Susie Castillo was an assistant to the mayor of Doral.

On Sunday fellow board member expressed their concern.

“This is a very difficult situation,” said fellow School Board member Raquel Regalado. “We’re all praying for her family.”